FILE - In a June 29, 2014 file photo, Mexico's Alan Pulido consoles teammate Javier Hernandez (14) after the Netherlands defeated Mexico 2-1 during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil. A state official says that Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido has been kidnapped in the northern border state of Tamaulipas. The official says the 25-year-old player was kidnapped near his hometown of Ciudad Victoria on Sunday after leaving a party. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)
FILE - In a June 29, 2014 file photo, Mexico's Alan Pulido consoles teammate Javier Hernandez (14) after the Netherlands defeated Mexico 2-1 during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil. A state official says that Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido has been kidnapped in the northern border state of Tamaulipas. The official says the 25-year-old player was kidnapped near his hometown of Ciudad Victoria on Sunday after leaving a party. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File) Credit: Eduardo Verdugo

Ciudad Victoria, Mexico — Federal and state forces mounted a big search operation Sunday for Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido, who was abducted in the crime-plagued northern border state of Tamaulipas.

The 25-year-old Pulido is a forward for Olympiakos of Greece and was part of Mexico’s 2014 World Cup team, though he wasn’t called up for the Copa America tournament that starts this week.

“We have information that he was intercepted by armed persons and since then his whereabouts are unknown,” said state Attorney General Ismael Quintanilla.

The Tamaulipas Coordination Group, which includes federal and state security agents, said on its Twitter account that it was searching for the player. Reporters in the city saw an unusual deployment of troops and police in the streets, while at least two police or military-style helicopters flew overhead.

A state official earlier said Pulido was kidnapped early Sunday after leaving a party near his hometown of Ciudad Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, a state that has suffered battles between major drug gangs. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss a case under investigation.

Authorities gave no further details about the kidnapping or a motive for the abduction, which happened a week before state elections to pick a new governor for Tamaulipas.

Pulido’s Greek team said it hoped for a good outcome for the player.

“At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Alan,” Olympiakos said on its official Twitter account in a message in both Spanish and English accompanied by a photograph of him.

Former teammates on Mexico’s national team went on social networks to offer their support for his welfare.

“A shame what happened,” goalkeeper Jesus Corona said on Twitter. “My prayers are with him and his family at this difficult time.”

Pulido debuted and played several seasons with the club Tigres of Monterrey, whose Twitter account expressed solidarity with the player’s family “in the difficult situation they are experiencing.”

Pulido left the Tigres in 2014 to play in Europe, though he has been in a dispute with the Mexican club about whether his contract there continues to be valid.

MLSOrlando City 2, NYCFC 2

New York — Kevin Molino scored in second-half stoppage time to give Orlando City a tie with New York City FC on Sunday.

Molino scored on a header from the center of the penalty area in the 94th minute to extend Orlando City’s unbeaten streak to three games. Carlos Rivas sent a cross to the far post that Cyle Larin centered to set up Molino’s sixth goal this season.

Frederic Brillant scored his first career MLS goal in the 42nd minute, and David Villa chipped in from the center of the area to give NYC a 2-0 lead in the 66th.

Julio Baptista, off a feed from Molino, rolled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Josh Saunders into the bottom-left corner — his first goal in MLS — cut the gap for Orlando City (3-3-7) about 6 minutes later.

NYC (4-4-6) is winless in its two matches after going unbeaten in its previous five.